Winterizing Newbie
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15669
Printed Date: November-18-2024 at 2:35am
Topic: Winterizing Newbie
Posted By: travbo24
Subject: Winterizing Newbie
Date Posted: October-23-2009 at 6:53pm
|
Hi all,
I just bought my first Ski Nautique last weekend just in time to store it in the garage all winter. It's a '88 2001 and I'm working on winterizing it. This afternoon I drained all the water (pulled 2 block plugs, manifold plugs, "u" plug from pump, and disconnected the water intake filter). I poured 2.5 gallons of 50/50 down the RWP output hose into the block. Then I poured the remaining half gallon down the out side of the water filter to get the transmission cooler as I didn't find a drain for it. I took apart the water pump and stored the impeller in a baggie for next year. I'll be storing the boat in the garage in KS which typically does not freeze. Did I cover the necessities? I've only owned and I/O and an outboard in the past. Do I just let the water hoses hang out for the winter while the water pump sits on my workbench? Also, there's a strong smell of fuel...I can't find any leaks, but maybe it's just part of her character? Any advice is appreciated. I'm looking forward to using the boat and joining the Correct Craft Fan community. Thanks!! Travis |
Replies:
Posted By: C-Bass
Date Posted: October-23-2009 at 7:24pm
|
Sounds like you've covered a lot of it Travis. It's pretty well the consensus that you should fog your cylinders, change your engine oil, and change the trans oil in the fall as well.
If you didn't do the fluid changes, do them first thing next spring, then next year start on the fall schedule. Either way, I would fog the cylinders if it's going to be sitting for a while. Just take out each spark plug and spray each cylinder. For you oil cooler, the stock cooler has a drain plug on it, but it's easier to just take the water hose off the bottom to drain. As far as your hoses, sure just let them hang out they'll be fine. One more thing you may want to do, loosen your 2 belts (alt. and water pump). I like to take them completely off and hang them on the pylon to remind myself to put them back on and tighten them up in the spring. Welcome...and lets see some pics of the boat! ------------- Craig 67 SN 73 SN http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6103" rel="nofollow - 99 Sport 85SN |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: October-23-2009 at 8:05pm
|
Sounds like you got it right to me.
Nice job, and welcome! If you want to get some humor on the topic, go to the general discussion and look at that winterizing thread. Some funny stuff in there. ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-23-2009 at 8:10pm
|
Travis,
Ether your previous experience with the I/O was helpful or you follow directions very well. You did it as recommended by the manual. Now, get some pictures and a short story to Keith so he can get you posted up in the diaries. Welcome and stick around. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: travbo24
Date Posted: October-23-2009 at 8:18pm
|
Thanks for the quick response. I'll be fogging each cylinder this weekend, but not the carb since I've already winterized. I will change oils in the spring and then get on a fall schedule as recommended. The previous owner may have already changed them when he winterized...I'll have to call him. It's been fitted with a Holley EFI...should it still be fogged in the same way?
The only pic I have of the boat is from the previous owner's ad...I put it on the water once with him and then it went straight to the garage. Getting cold here. I'm sure I'll have many more questions as I tinker through the winter. Take care!! 
|
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-23-2009 at 9:33pm
|
Great looking boat! You're going to enjoy working on it; much easier than an I/O. The more-HP disease is catching though!
One worthy task is to check your shaft alignment. There are plenty of threads on this on the site. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-24-2009 at 10:49am
|
i sent a trans to Lawrence KS, would that be you? ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: travbo24
Date Posted: October-24-2009 at 12:03pm
| Nope...not me. I stopped by and talked to another guy out washing his '88 the day I bought mine. I think he mentioned replacing the transmission this year. I bet it was him. |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-24-2009 at 12:13pm
|
nice looking boat btw ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: October-24-2009 at 12:22pm
|
Very good looking boat. I really like the color and the colored deck. ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
Posted By: gofastshawn
Date Posted: October-25-2009 at 3:05pm
| hello everyone,Just like the original post writer,I have an 88 sn that was very easy to winterize.However I just bought an 01 air nautique with gt40 and all the options(heater,ballast,hot-cold shower).I live in sacramento and keep the newer boat in the garage.I do wakeboard and ski all winter with drysuits as long as there isnt too much debri in the river.The temps here get too the lowest point 30 degrees and not extended just early morning hours.Would you recommend following the manual on the full winterization everytime i get home or can i get away with hanging a 40 watt drop light in the engine compartment when it does get cold.(works like a champ in my offshore engine comp but that holds two 576 mercs and a lot more room to warm up. thanks shawn |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-25-2009 at 5:57pm
|
Go fast - Yours is a case that justifies petcocks (Pete would argue we all should install them!). No tools. Just drain it after using it & all will be well.
I don't see my boat for 6 months, so you are very lucky to get to use it year round. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: gofastshawn
Date Posted: October-25-2009 at 11:51pm
|
Yea, I was thinking about that.No way to put them in the exaust manifolds though.I pulled my rear seat out today to get a look at the fuel tank and ballast tanks and I definantly will be blowing those lines out along with the heater lines.Pretty sure I can get away with petcocks in everything except the impeller housing u-bend.Might just be easier to turn on the space heater in the garage,HA HA ouch$$$$
thanks Shawn 01 air 88 dominique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-26-2009 at 9:18am
|
Shawn,
What's your concern with the petcocks in the manifolds and the "J" bend? Clearance? The "J" may be 1/8" pipe and you may need to put a 45* "street" elbow (male one end, female other) on the manifolds first. The 45 still gives you plenty of room to get in and probe with a wire. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: gofastshawn
Date Posted: October-26-2009 at 4:58pm
|
Thats what my concern was(clearance) .Only had the boat a month and I havent got that upclose and personal with the newer injected gt-40.I just browsed the manual and this site for tips.I am really not too concerned about it in this climate with the boat in my garage that is fully finished taped and sheetrocked.Probably never gets colder than 50 degrees in there.Have no choice with my 33 fountain,she lives under a moring cover along side the house and like i said ,I just put a drop light in the engine comp to keep it above freezing but all i have is sea strainers to empty. thanks for the info
shawn |
Posted By: damonwells
Date Posted: October-27-2009 at 2:51am
|
I have a 1990 SN and I just installed petcocks in the Manifolds. I used a 1/2" drive ratchet to get the plug out. Then I put in a 3/4" to 3/8" reducing bushing, then the petcock to that, I had to remove the removable handle to get the petcock in, it was tight, but it worked.
I did pull the wet exhaust and the 3" hose so I could run a 3/4" tap in to clean the threads and ran that in a bit so the bushing would seat better. But you don't need to pull the hose to get the bushing in. Snap On makes a great Radiator Hose tool that every boat owner should have. These are a must when removing hose, makes a difficult job turn into a piece of cake. cheers, John |